Miles968

A little/maybe a lot off topic but, Does anyone know what the service interval is on the timing chain between the 2 camshafts? Since mine endures a bit more stress from the turbo etc should I be servicing it more frequently?

savvas944

what type of engine oil and grade ?could it be that as the tensioner is fully hydraulic there is something
that is not compatible there.Something similar ,was with my car when i bought it which was
with 0-40 mobil one.
changed to 10-60, and many maladies were solved.
Another idea,could be the solenoid gets incorrect reading from DME.Faulty DME or chip?

Jfrahm

hmm, I planned on changing the oil once I was done taking the cam cover on an off. The oil is Rotella T 5w-40 synthetic. I might try some 20w-50 or 15w-50 and see if that helps.

Thanks,
-Joel.

savvas944

unless you have sub-zero temps,i would stay off the 5w-40.
best is 10-40,10-50,10-60 a good synthetic.
tried ONCE aral (germany) 5W-50 and engine did not liked it ,during our winter here which is plus 10 degrees.

Jfrahm

I've used the Rotella T in lots of cars and bikes for years and it's been fine, but I will try a heavier oil and see if it affects this issue.

I do not generally drive the car in very cold weather but sometimes do when it's 5-7 C. I generally think of 15w-50 or 20w-50 as an oil for Turbo, track or hot climate use but I can add '968' to that list if need be.

Thanks,
-Joel.

savvas944

if it is 5-7 degrees go for a 10-40 or 10-50 synthetic.
20-50 will be too thick, but you can try.

968workaholic

Porsche doesn't have one, just keep checking it. A good rule would probably be everytime you change your timing belt just so it is done regularly. Its just as important as the belt so why not

Jfrahm

Re: the timing chain I think 100k-120k is a good number, depending on how the car is driven. Since the variocam ramps need to be serviced around then that would be a good time to swap it out.

Re: my variocam noise, I switched to Castrol GTX 20w-50 and the noise is the same.

How does the oil get out of the variocam unit? As it seems to have a check valve that might make it a one way trip. Or is that check valve set at a low psi to just keep oil in it, and the oil gets out the same way it gets in? Or, rather, it's an oil backwater and the pressure just goes up and down.

-Joel.

IBR COMPETICION

I have the same problem, and with the engine hot don´t start.

savvas944

castrol gtx 20-50 is a thick flow mineral based oil , or at least it used to be ,and unsuitable for the close tolerances of the 968 ENGINE, or indeed any modern engine.i have been using it since 1968 in SUNBEAM RAPIERS,
was made for use for low rpm pre -80 s ,engines with larger tolerances and no hydraulic operated
tensioners or valve adjusters.or high milage engines.
a best oil is the 10-60 CASTROL RS which admitedly is more expensive.